Welcome to the English Department

  • High school English focuses on basic literacy, the proper use of language for personal and public reasons, and the development of an appreciation for various types of literature.  In the ninth and tenth grades, students continue to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the earlier grades but in more refined and sophisticated ways. Emphasis is centered on analyzing literature, analyzing career-related and other informational materials completing more complex writing assignments, and giving oral presentations. In the eleventh and twelfth grades, English Language Arts (ELA) standards are sophisticated extensions of the knowledge and skills targeted in the earlier grades. They highlight several interrelationships among the different domains of language arts: reading, writing, written and oral English-language conventions, and speaking and listening.

    English Department

    Front Row:  Ms. Margaret Gillham, Ms. Janus Stechel and Ms. Totam Dao
    Back Row:  Ms. Donna Tucker, Mr. Matt Lencioni, Mr. Alfredo Resendiz, and Mr. Charles Vines

Courses Offered:

  • ENGLISH 1P ~ 9TH GRADE - A-G Approved 10 CREDITS Emphasis will be on reading core works of literature, both classic and contemporary. Students will develop an understanding of and appreciation for various literary genres, including novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. The course will also include a study of informational materials and functional workplace documents. The writing component will stress the correct usage of English conventions and build the composition skills necessary to develop fluency using the writing process. Students will employ practical applications of technology to produce written documents and deliver presentations. 

    ENGLISH 2P ~10TH GRADE - A-G Approved 10 CREDITS Emphasis will be on universal themes found in core works of literature, both classic and contemporary. Student will study technical documents and informational materials to evaluate their credibility using research and analysis. Students will continue their study of the writing process to become adept at composing narrative, expository, persuasive and response to literature essays. Students will utilize technology to produce documents in all of the writing genres and to enhance their understanding of literature. 

    ENGLISH 3P~ 11TH GRADE - A-G Approved 10 CREDITS Emphasis will be on literary criticism as students analyze all of the genres of American literature in their historical context. Students will trace the development of language, theme, and culture from the colonial period forward and evaluate the political, philosophical, religious, and social issues represented by the various authors. Writing will demonstrate a command of English conventions and show fluency in the application of all writing domains, including reflective essays and historical research papers. Students will develop multi-media presentations that show competence in speaking and listening.

    ENGLISH 4P ~ 12TH GRADE - A-G Approved 10 CREDITS Emphasis will be on analyzing works of world literature through the centuries with a focus on British literature. Students will employ literary criticism to compare and contrast the major themes and issues of each literary period. Writing will demonstrate sophistication in the use of rhetoric, language and style, and control of English conventions. Written and oral communication will show evidence of higher-level technical skills through the integration of databases, graphics, spreadsheets, and word- processed documents.

    ENGLISH 1P ~ 9TH GRADE (Puente). A-G Approved-10 CREDITS. Emphasis will be on reading core works of literature, both classic and contemporary. Students will develop an understanding of and appreciation for various literary genres, including novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. The course will also include a study of informational materials and functional workplace documents. The writing component will stress the correct usage of English conventions and build the composition skills necessary to develop fluency using the writing process. Students will employ practical applications of technology to produce written documents and deliver presentations. 

    ENGLISH 2P ~10TH GRADE (Puente). A-G Approved-10 CREDITS. Emphasis will be on universal themes found in core works of literature, both classic and contemporary. Student will study technical documents and informational materials to evaluate their credibility using research and analysis. Students will continue their study of the writing process to become adept at composing narrative, expository, persuasive and response to literature essays. Students will utilize technology to produce documents in all of the writing genres and to enhance their understanding of literature.

    AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION. A-G Approved-10 CREDITS. Prerequisite: Student commitment to persist for entire school year in college-level course and take the AP examination in the spring. Emphasis will be on extensive close reading of non- fiction materials from a variety of genres in addition to the traditional study of American literature. Students will study the rhetorical strategies and techniques that authors employ in order to convey their meaning. Students will practice incorporating these strategies into their own writing to produce sophisticated text and properly documented college-level research papers. Students will develop multi-media presentations that show competence in speaking and listening. This class will prepare students to take the AP English Language and Composition exam.

    AP ENGLISH LITERATURE. A-G Approved-10 CREDITS. Prerequisite: Grade of B in a previous course, writing sample, and required summer reading Emphasis will be on extensive reading and analyzing works of world literature through the centuries with a focus on British literature. Students will employ literary criticism and comparative analysis in the study of each literary period. Writing will demonstrate sophistication in the use of rhetoric and control of English conventions. Compositions will show a broader spectrum of creativity and depth of style that is acceptable at the college level.Written and oral communication will show evidence of higher-level technical skills through the integration of databases, graphics, spreadsheets, and word-processed documents. This class will prepare students to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam.

    ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 1, 2, 3 ~GRADES 9-12. 40 CREDITS. Only one year of this course, the highest level, meets UC requirements as college prep (Level 3) This course meets the English requirement for students whose native language is not English. Vocabulary, basic communication skills, and literature in beginning English are studied. Instruction is delivered using special methodologies and strategies to ensure comprehension of written and spoken English. The purpose is to develop students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to a proficient level in both fluency and literacy.

    EXPOSITORY READING & WRITING COURSE (ERWC) ~12TH GRADE. A-G Approved-10 Credits. Alternate to English 4P (12th Grade English) The ERWC aligns with the California English-Language Arts Content Standards, addresses critical reading and writing problems identified by the CSU English Placement Test Committee, and prepares students to meet the expectations of college and university faculty. Course assignments into 14 modules and based mainly on non-fiction texts emphasize the in-depth study of expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing. The University of California has approved the ERWC for “a-g” requirements (area “b” credit), and the course meets college preparatory requirements for both the UC and CSU.

    JOURNALISM, NEWSPAPER - GRADES 9-12. A-G Approved-MAX. 40 CREDITS. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in English, department approval First year students will learn the business of producing a school newspaper. In the second through fourth years, students will become editors, business managers, and photographers, handling the business related to newspaper production. All students will learn news writing skills as well as layout, caption writing, and design tasks required to produce a newspaper.

    JOURNALISM, YEARBOOK - GRADES 9-12. MAX. 40 CREDITS. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in English, department approval Students will produce the school yearbook and become involved in planning, reporting, and photography. They will also arrange for financing, promotion, and distribution. This course requires knowledge and use of the applications of various computer software and design programs, such as Page Maker and Photoshop. Students are taught to meet deadlines, and to develop strong organizational skills.

Faculty